What is Potbelly Sandwich Works's health inspection score?

Potbelly Sandwich Works has a SafeDine safety score of 82 out of 100 (Grade B). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Potbelly Sandwich Works last inspected?

Potbelly Sandwich Works was last inspected on May 19, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Potbelly Sandwich Works have?

Potbelly Sandwich Works has 10 total violations across 3 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Potbelly Sandwich Works safe to eat at?

Potbelly Sandwich Works has a good safety record with a score of 82/100. While there are some noted violations, overall compliance is solid.

Official Health Record

Potbelly Sandwich Works

Name: Potbelly Sandwich Works
Address: 5709 S HARLEM AVE, Chicago, 60638
Rating: 82

5709 S HARLEM AVE, Chicago

Last inspected 10mo ago

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0Good

Chicago

Ranked #960 of 1000 in Chicago

Stable

3 inspections

Last: May 19, 2025

medium confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

Clean Rate

3.3

Avg Violations

11 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

HandwashingHigh Priority

Employees not properly washing hands — contamination risk

Cross-contamination

Raw and cooked foods not properly separated

Pest issues

Evidence of pests found during inspection

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

Other violation

Regulatory compliance issue

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-18

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-1 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-4 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-4 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-7 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

+5 pts

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

3rd

30% weight

How scoring works: Every restaurant starts at 100 points. Points are deducted for violations found during inspections.

Recent inspections are weighted more heavily. High priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact.

Location

5709 S HARLEM AVE, Chicago, IL 60638

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Violation Timeline

May 2023

1 inspections

1 high priority

1 intermediate

3 basic

May

May 2024

1 inspections

3 basic

May 2025

1 inspections

1 intermediate

1 basic

May

Inspection History

3 records on file

3 Canvass

May 25

Canvass InspectionLatestPass

1 Med1 Basic

2 total

93/100inspection score

−7 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
EXIT DOOR NEAR TOILET ROOMS NOT PROTECTED, APPROX 1/4 INCH GAP PERIMETER AROUND DOOR. INSTD TO REPAIR DOOR AND HAVE TIGHT FITTING AT ALL TIMES.

Basic (1)

−2 pts

51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
3-COMPARMTENT SINK AND HANDWASH SINK IN SAME AREA SLOW DRAINING. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−7 pts

May 24

Canvass InspectionPass

3 Basic

3 total

94/100inspection score

−6 pts

Basic (3)

−6 pts

49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND RESIDUE ON THE GASKET OF COOLER DRAWERS IN THE FRONT PREP LINE AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
OBSERVED HANDLES OF WASHBOWL SINKS IN THE RESTROOM TO BE IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED WALL NEAR OFFICE AREA TO HAVE MISSING PAINT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

Base deductions−6 pts

May 23

Canvass InspectionPass

1 High1 Med3 Basic

5 total

79/100inspection score

−21 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
OBSERVED 1/4" GAP ON RIGHT CORNER OF EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

39CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY−2
OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−21 pts

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Community Safety Reports

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Data source: Chicago CDPH · Official government inspection records

Grading System

85 – 100

Excellent

70 – 84

Good

Below 70

Fair

About SafeDine Scores

Scores are calculated using official government inspection data. High Priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact, followed by Intermediate and Basic violations. Community reviews can adjust the score by up to 5 points when 3+ reviews are submitted.

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